Lifeguarding CHANGES lives by Audrey

Lifeguarding CHANGES lives by Audrey - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

My name is Audrey Wilson, I am a junior in high school, and I am an American Red Cross certified lifeguard. Before I proceed, let me just say I despise lifeguarding. There does not seem to be anything special about sitting for five hours, checking pool chemicals, and getting sunburns. It is not something I enjoy doing, nor is it something I want to continue doing throughout high school. A couple weeks ago, I saw a flyer stating "Spectrum Sunday! Lifeguard needed" and I thought to myself "spectrum means... special needs kids.... lifeguarding means... I get to work with them!". I have a growing passion for individuals of the special needs community and truly enjoy working with them every chance I get. I signed up to lifeguard, I showed up, but no one else showes up to swim. I waited for two hours before a little autistic boy, probably about 7 or 8, showed up saying "I'm too scared". I responded, "there's no need to be scared, it's fun!". Unfortunately, he did not believe me instantly. It discouraged me that I could tell he really wanted to swim but he could not develop the courage to get in the pool. After about twenty minutes of convincing, I got in the pool, lifeguard shirt and all, to show him that he had nothing to worry about. He finally slid in the pool, laid on my lifeguard tube, and screamed "walk around!". I slowly walked around the pool for about an hour with him laying on my lifeguard tube until it was time for him to leave. Unfortunately, he was the only child to come swim during the spectrum sunday event; however, as he was leaving he jumped into my arms and said "I want to be like you when I grow up". This brought tears to my eyes and made me realize that even though lifeguarding may not be the most exciting job in the world, I can always impact a child's life in any way-- big or small. Because of my selfless act of getting in the pool while fully clothed, I helped a child to face his fear and realize that someone cares about him. Even though every day I am lifeguarding is not the most exciting day, I never know who will come to the pool and whose life I can truly impact while at a swimming pool.